Apple offers two versions of the AirPods 5: a $129 model with a USB-C Charging Case and a $149 model with a Wireless Charging Case. The extra $20 also buys longer battery life, swipe volume controls, and additional Find My features, so there are differences between the earbuds themselves as well as their cases.


Both models include Active Noise Cancellation as standard, the H2 chip, the same open-ear design, and the same redesigned acoustic architecture with updated Adaptive EQ. They also share Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Personalized Spatial Audio, Voice Isolation, studio-quality audio recording, and IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance. Both support Live Translation when paired with a compatible iPhone with Apple Intelligence enabled, in supported languages and regions.

The earbuds have identical dimensions and weight. The cases are also the same size, although the Wireless Charging Case is slightly heavier. There are still some notable differences to justify the price difference. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these sets of AirPods is best for you.

AirPods 5	AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case
Force sensor	Force sensor with swipe volume controls
Up to four hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to six hours with noise control off)	Up to five hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to seven hours with noise control off)
Up to 20 hours of listening time with the charging case with Active Noise Cancellation enabled	Up to 22 hours of listening time with the charging case with Active Noise Cancellation enabled
Charging Case (USB-C)	Wireless Charging Case (USB-C) with support for the Apple Watch charger and Qi-certified chargers
	Case speaker for Find My and charging and battery status sounds
Find My with last-connected location and sound playback on the earbuds	Find My network tracking, sound playback on the earbuds, separate locations for each earbud and the case, and individual Lost Mode support
Charging case weighs 32.3 grams (1.14 ounces)	Charging case weighs 34.7 grams (1.22 ounces)
$129	$149

For most people, the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case are clearly the better buy. The extra $20 is a very small premium for conveniences you are likely to appreciate if you use your AirPods regularly. Longer listening time is useful for travel and extended sessions, while swipe volume controls let you make adjustments without reaching for your iPhone or asking Siri.

The higher-end model is worth considering even if you plan to charge exclusively over USB-C. Wireless charging becomes more useful if you already have a Qi charger or Apple Watch charger. Its additional Find My features are valuable if you tend to misplace your AirPods, allowing you to locate the earbuds and case separately and use the Find My network when they are beyond your device's range. The case speaker also helps when it slips between cushions or gets buried in a bag.

The standard AirPods 5 make more sense if you are on a very strict budget, want a secondary pair, or mostly listen for short periods. You still get the same audio technology and noise cancellation, so saving $20 does not mean compromising on those core features. You simply need to be comfortable with USB-C charging, shorter battery life, fewer controls, and more limited Find My functionality.

The charging cases are not interchangeable between the two models. If you buy the standard AirPods 5, you cannot add wireless charging later by purchasing the other model's case, making it worth deciding which features you want before buying.

Before buying, compare prices using our Deals roundup, since discounts can change the price gap between the two models.

If you're considering an upgrade from AirPods 4 or want to see what changed between generations, our AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 5 Buyer's Guide compares the improvements and explains whether upgrading is worthwhile.
This article, "AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Wie hätte ich speziell in dieser Woche die iOS-Kamera-App ignorieren können?

Der Witz ist: Über Apples Kamera-Software gab’s selten groß was zu erzählen. Es ist eine einfach aufgebaute App. Das änderte sich allerdings über die letzten Jahre – und zeigt sich mit dem iPhone 18 Pro sehr deutlich.

Hier das Intro der Episode:

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Ignorieren wir den „Hand strap“ für die QuickTake 200, dann sind der iPod touch Loop sowie die Remote Loop die einzigen Bänder fürs Handgelenk aus Apples 50-jähriger Geschichte – zumindest bis letzte Woche.

Apples neues Handgelenk Band befestigt man an einer separaten iPhone-Hülle oder etwa direkt am AirPods-Case¹. Es orientiert sich am Design des Crossbody Straps aus dem letzten Jahr.

Ich wette, Apples Marge für das 30-Euro-Bändchen stimmt. Trotzdem bleibt der flache Knopf am eng gewebten Garn mit integrierten Magneten erstaunlich nett.

Meine einzige Kritik: Es ist eine relativ dauerhafte Befestigung. Die Handschlaufe lässt sich einfach lösen, die Befestigungsschlaufen fummelt man aber nur mit etwas Aufwand wieder raus.

1. Als Apple im Jahr 2022 die Öse am Kopfhörer-Case einführte, überließ der Konzern den Zubehörverkauf anderen Herstellern so wie Incase.

Apple no longer charges extra for Active Noise Cancellation on AirPods, folding it into the $129 AirPods 5 instead of reserving it for the higher-end model.


Apple today announced the AirPods 5. ANC now comes standard on the base model rather than being exclusive to its pricier variant, as it was with the outgoing AirPods 4, which cost $129 without ANC and $179 with it.

There is still a pricier version of the AirPods 5, called "AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case." This model starts at $149 and includes a force sensor with swiping volume controls, an hour of additional battery life with ANC enabled, and wireless charging. The ‌AirPods 4‌ with ANC were priced at $179.

AirPods 5 are available for pre-order starting today, with both the $129 and $149 models arriving in stores on Friday, September 18.
This article, "AirPods 5 Include ANC as Standard, Pricier Variant Now Gatekeeps Wireless Charging Instead" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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